We drove all day Thursday and after 11 1/2 hours of traveling, made it just in time for my sister's mini-bachelorette party for those of us her couldn't join her in New Orleans for her official one. Brian was awesome enough to drop me off and take the boys out to dinner on his own after such a long drive.
I got to meet some of my sister's DC friends as well as some of Mike's family (Mike's parents both have a bunch of siblings, like 6 or 7 each, so he has a ton of family in the area).
The restaurant that we were at was on the water and Brian and the boys waited for me at the waterfront after they ate. It was cool but I had luckily remembered to pack some jackets.
Carter found on old playground ...
And a cool train ...
After a little playtime, we checked in to our hotel in Holland, which was just south of Grand Haven and West Olive. We stayed at a really nice Hampton Inn that had suites so that we could put Carter in the living room and Rylan in the bedroom with us.
The next morning we went over to Tunnel Park in Holland with my mom and Brian's parents. The park has a tunnel through the dunes to get to the beach on Lake Michigan.
It was COLD on the beach. It was in the 50s, overcast, and super windy so we just about froze since we had gotten used to mid-90s already.
Carter found this playground back on the other side of the dune and played for a bit before we left.
My mom and I split up from everyone else so that we could go help my sister make the bouquets for the wedding.
Brian took the boys out to lunch with his parents and then they met up with my dad, Jan, and her mom for a while.
The boys didn't get much of a chance to nap on Friday so while we got ready for the rehearsal, Carter passed out on the couch in the hotel room while watching TV.
Carter was the ring bearer and he did a good job at the rehearsal so we had hoped he'd do well the next day. The church was really small so he didn't have far to walk down the aisle.
After the rehearsal, we went to the rehearsal dinner at a local pizza place called Clover Bar. We were packed in there but we all enjoyed the pizza and beer.
We headed out a little early since the boys were getting cranky with their lack of sleep. Somehow we still didn't get them to bed until after 10 though.
The next morning I headed out early to meet up with my sister, the bridesmaids, and my mom at Reds Salon. Brian had the boys again on his own (his parents were around to help out some though). He had to entertain the kids and then get himself and the boys ready for the wedding (Brian was also a groomsman).
I, on the other hand, got to get my hair done and enjoy champagne with the girls. My sister had her nails, makeup, and hair all done.
After the salon, we headed back to my sister's hotel where we finished getting ready.
Check out my sister's shoes!!!
She looked gorgeous!
The wedding ceremony went smoothly and Carter did fine (woohoo!). After the ceremony we took pictures for a few hours and then headed to the reception.
Here's a picture of the wedding cake. Mike designed it.
Mike's parents have a tiki bar in their backyard and they had a couple of bartenders making drinks for everyone.
Carter really liked playing on the ropes used to tie down the tent. Luckily he didn't pull it down!
He also had a blast dancing. The kids took over the dance floor for awhile.
Water break!
As Matron of Honor, I got to give a speech. I was nervous but it went well.
Carter liked the cake. He got to sit with Brian and me at the head table because he refused to sit with my mom and Brian's parents at his assigned table.
Rylan slept for about an hour on my mom and then was much happier for a few hours.
This is my cousin Jennifer's little boy (Charlie) who was born the day after Carter.
Carter and Charlie had fun playing together.
And this is Jennifer and her daughter Ava Grace who was born a couple of months before Rylan. She has beautiful blue eyes that are similar to Carter's.
Here is my grandmother with all her grandkids (other than my sister) and great-grandkids.
We again had to leave earlier than we liked because the boys were getting tired and cranky. But the party was dying down so we didn't feel bad heading out.
We drove back to Tennessee the next morning. We made it in just over 10 hours on the way back. The boys were totally over being in the car but we all survived. We are glad not to have any more long drives in our future!
